Registered charities and nonprofits in the Niagara region and Haldimand County are invited to apply for grants of up to $5,000 through BCM Insurance's Community Grants Program.
Now in its seventh year, the program returns policyholder surplus directly to the communities BCM serves. Since 2019, over $660,000 has been awarded to 66 local organizations working in food security, youth development, arts and culture, health care, and environmental sustainability.
The mutual model makes this possible. Unlike shareholder-owned insurers, BCM's surplus stays local. Every dollar awarded through the grants program originated as a premium paid by a BCM policyholder in Niagara or Haldimand County.
What the grants support
Grants are awarded to organizations whose work falls within five priority areas:
- Food security — food banks, community kitchens, school nutrition programs, and meal delivery services across the region
- Youth development — mentorship, sports leagues, after-school programming, and skills training for young people
- Arts and culture — public performances, community exhibitions, heritage preservation, and creative education
- Health and wellness — mental health supports, accessibility improvements, fitness programming, and preventive care initiatives
- Environmental sustainability — conservation efforts, community clean-ups, green education, and habitat restoration
When you insure with BCM, your premiums do more than protect your home or your car. They strengthen the community around you. That is the mutual difference.
2025 spring recipients
This spring, BCM awarded grants to three organizations making a measurable impact in the region. Each recipient was selected for the strength of their programming and their connection to the communities they serve.
Links for Greener Learning received $5,000 to expand their Our Power, Our Planet Earth Day programming, reaching over 500 students across eight Niagara schools. The funds covered workshop materials, guest speakers, and take-home seed kits for every participating family.
NOTL Public Library used their $5,000 grant to host the Ultimate Summer Kickoff, a free community celebration marking the library's 225th anniversary. The event drew over 1,200 attendees and featured live music, author readings, and a children's book fair.
Watch the highlights
See what the 2025 Community Grants Program means to the organizations and people it supports.
How to apply
The Community Grants Program accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. Eligible organizations must be a registered charity or incorporated nonprofit operating within BCM's coverage area. Previous grant recipients are welcome to reapply.
